Month: June 2011

West Wirral Area Forum – 29th June 2011 – Part 10 (NHS vascular review), Merseyside Police

A member of the public asked why then wasn’t the relationship more harmonious? She answered that the vascular review had caused problems as to where it would be as there would be only one centre South of the River Mersey. Cllr Ellis said it had been a difficult baptism. She replied saying she had been … Continue reading “West Wirral Area Forum – 29th June 2011 – Part 10 (NHS vascular review), Merseyside Police”

A member of the public asked why then wasn’t the relationship more harmonious? She answered that the vascular review had caused problems as to where it would be as there would be only one centre South of the River Mersey. Cllr Ellis said it had been a difficult baptism. She replied saying she had been told it would be all about parking.

Cllr Ellis said it was fantastic, considering the previous difficulties with police inspectors that an inspector was getting involved. Inspector Mike Blease thanked Cllr Ellis and said he was a Moels resident. He had brought along a newsletter but it would be out of date on Friday. There were copies for people who did want them. Regarding burglary he apologised for those woken up by the force’s helicopter. It had been on the rise, but there were good news stories. He praised the PCSOs. In Ennisdale Road last June, a burglar had been disturbed in a kitchen, there had been CCTV footage but it was not brilliant. However you could see the clothing. Having looked at all incidents, someone had noticed similarities with an incident at the Hoylake School of Dance. They had excellent CCTV and a lad wearing the same clothes had been arrested. Since he had been arrested they had not had any further burglaries.

One of the PCSOs had spotted two lads from Liverpool on the Birkenhead to West Kirby train, he had followed them along the Wirral Way. On the back of intelligence they had been arrested twelve hours later for a burglary in Tranmere where a car had been stolen outside a house.

West Wirral Area Forum – 29th June 2011 – Part 9 – NHS (emergencies, out of hours, management)

The member of the public answered Monday. She said it should’ve been open till 10pm. John Parr said there were fears a lot of people had that it was bad enough Monday to Friday, but if you fell ill at the weekend you were in serious trouble. Efforts had been made, but there should be medical attention 24/7. A number of people had had experience of relations getting ill at the wrong time. She said it was a valid point, she was Associate Director of Diagnostics and Clinical Support which covered areas such as radiology. She said in answer to a further question that there were three acute care physicians employed to do so.

A GP said they had extended their opening hours but they couldn’t be open 24/7. Outside of these times people should contact the out of hours service. She said she recognised the knock on effect if people had to consult the out of hours service.

Chris said he had genuine interest in the working relationships between management and medical staff. She said from personal experience, she had started at Clatterbridge and worked in the NHS for over 20 years including at the Royal Liverpool Hospital. She said [Wirral University Teaching Hospital] was the most open and honest organisation, which debated and had healthy discussions. She realised these were difficult times and difficult decisions however they had no problems talking to anybody, talking to the staff, having open days or talking to the Chairman. A climate of fear was not her experience.

West Wirral Area Forum – 29th June 2011 – Part 8 – NHS (waiting times, cancelled appointments, emergencies)

Cllr Boult said he had had a major operation with a referral to clinic in three months time. However it had been cancelled. However he had been due to see a consultant within a certain time, the appointment had been made for April 1st, but been put back by ten weeks. When it was cancelled or people had emergency operations what were the timescales? He had been told there were no timescales and it was lucky dip.

The woman from the NHS said to call it a lucky dip was unfair. Cllr Boult said the secretary had twenty people and had been told to pick the nearest date. Margaret Shaunessy said that cases were either categorised as urgent or routine and this was decided by the consultant, not the secretary on their own. Cllr Boult said with the amount of people going to the clinic who had had cancelled appointments he felt sorry for the GPs. Cllr Ellis said it was personal. Margaret Shaunessy said they had targets regarding outpatients, however it was hard not to cancel. There was a strict protocol regarding referrals and there were set times in which patients should be seen.

A member of the public said when their husband was ill, the hospital had suggested she bring him by car rather than ambulance. She could lift him well enough inside the hospital but there was nobody on reception. The paramedic had tried to find one. The two wheelchairs were padlocked all there was at reception was a phone.

Margaret said it was unfortunate and that there should always be someone on reception, she asked which day it was?

West Wirral Area Forum – 29th June 2011 – Part 8 – NHS (strokes, geriatric, single rooms, public consultation)

The answer given was that they had become a hyperacute stroke unit. The key issue with strokes was time. They now have 24/7 access to imaging which was vital to do before thrombolytic agents were used as they had to know whether it was a clot or bleeding. There was the TIARA service for Transient Ischemic Attacks and they were following the NICE guidelines. Care was given within 24 hours.

John Parr said they had waited for 30 hours and asked what happened regarding follow up and accountability? The person from the NHS said an audit was made for each patient regarding time and processes which was reported back to the National Stroke Association. There were constant ongoing evaluations, monthly meetings and re-evaluations. She hoped there were no further outliers. Cllr Ellis said there was a complaints procedure.

She said they need to act on feedback and there were examples of patient journeys. John Parr said once they got to hospital it was pretty good, but there were failings, he asked if the audit was available for patients to read? she said she was not sure. He also asked how soon it would be for separate rooms for geriatric patients? She said it was a constant problem that they were working on and moving forward om. They were committed to privacy and dignity and were working hard. There were no mixed sex wards as there were separate facilities however this was a long-term project. John asked how long, she said she didn’t know.

Cllr Ellis asked about the public consultation process and how it operated. She said they had gone to voluntary groups, staff governors, Wirral Council and had been invited to as many groups as possible such as Area Forums but given the large population it was difficult.

West Wirral Area Forum – 29th June 2011 – Part 7 – Video (Lifeboat Musuem), NHS

John Parr said it had been neglected for thirty years and needed something done. They could reinvigorate it into safe use by the public as a recreated space, which the museum would be happy to look after. He was hopeful to see a positive outcome. Cllr Ellis said it was a brilliant presentation and there were forms to sign up as members. John Parr urged people to go onto the Hoylake Lifeboat Museum website where they could support the project, join the friends group or get more details of the Appeal. He hoped it would be a “cultural haven that people can be proud of”. Cllr Ellis said was delighted.

The partners were asked to have their say, starting with the NHS (Margaret Shaunessy). She said it had been her first Area Forum, the Trust had gone to the public with their “Treating you well into the future” consultation which ended on the 30th June. Despite rumours they were not closing Clatterbridge hospital, but developing services and making the best use of them. The stroke unit had won an award, so had the early support discharge team and community midwives who had run a shop in Birkenhead. Also the oxygen service for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease had won an award. Regarding infection control they had found innovative ways to clean and improve infection control. This had had a dramatic effect at reducing it to below the national average.

John Parr said he mother and uncle had died of a stroke and his father had nearly died. However he felt there were shortcomings in care although it was better than a year ago. He asked what the reaction from the Trust was on strokes?